Multiple window dense wavelength divison multiplexed...

Details Multiple window dense wavelength divison multiplexed... Multiple window dense wavelength divison multiplexed...

1999-02-19

2001-03-06

Hellner, Mark (Department: 3662)

Optical: systems and elements

Optical amplifier

C359S341430

Reexamination Certificate

active

06198569

ABSTRACT:

TECHNICAL FIELD
The present invention relates to forming fiber optic communication links using fiber optic amplifier stages, which employ stimulated emission or optical parametric amplification, in compound waveguide configurations.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
Two wavelength ranges, or “windows,” have been used for communications over single-mode optical fibers. One window is centered around 1310 nm and the other around 1550 nm. Recently, dense wavelength division multiplexing (“DWDM”) techniques have been employed to increase the data carrying capacity of optical fibers. Using this technique, a plurality of tightly-packed optical channels within a single window each carry independent data streams. DWDM systems frequently employ optical amplifiers, which are configured to simultaneously amplify all optical channels. Because all commercial DWDM-capable optical amplifiers operate solely in the 1550 nm window, all DWDM systems have operated there.
Both windows may be useful for DWDM applications, potentially simultaneously on the same fiber. However, there are numerous differences between the two windows that manifest themselves at the system level. In conventional single mode fibers, the attenuation in the 1550 nm window is approximately 0.25 dB/km, while it is approximately 0.4 dB/km in the 1310 window. Chromatic dispersion is near zero in the 1310 nm window, but substantial in the 1550 nm window. In dispersion-shifted fiber, the situation is reversed. Beyond the properties of the fiber itself, optical amplifiers in the 1550 nm window differ substantially from those proposed for the 1310 nm window and in some ways are incompatible.
What is required, therefore, are technologies which enable multiple window transmission on the same fiber. The present invention involves a technique that isolates the 1550 nm and 1310 nm windows at key points in a communication link so that important functions such as optical amplification and dispersion compensation may be performed. This will enable the simultaneous implementation of DWDM at both windows on the same fiber.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
The present invention relates to novel amplifiers and amplifier modules that operate within the 1310 nm window, which enable DWDM in this region, and enable the multiple window communication links described herein.
In that regard, the present invention, in one aspect is an optical amplifier stage which includes a plurality of signal paths for separately carrying optical signals at at least two differing wavelength windows into which an input optical signal is demultiplexed. A fiber optic amplifier is arranged with respect to an interior portion of a fiber optic within one of the plurality signal paths, for amplifying an optical signal propagating in the fiber optic within a wavelength window of the at least two differing wavelength windows.
The fiber optic amplifier is arranged with respect to an interior portion of the fiber optic having a side surface through which optical energy can be coupled to or from the fiber optic. The fiber optic amplifier includes a channel overlay waveguide formed over the surface, wherein the fiber optic amplifier transfers the optical energy from the channel overlay waveguide to the optical signal propagating in the fiber optic, to thereby amplify the optical signal.
The amplifier technologies disclosed herein enable this amplification to occur especially around the 1310 nm wavelength window.
Two different optical amplification technologies are disclosed herein, including stimulated emission, and optical parametric amplification.
Associated transmission systems, and methods for amplifying, and forming amplification stages are also disclosed herein.
By providing optical amplification at both the 1310 nm and 1550 nm windows, simultaneous implementation of DWDM on the same fiber is enabled by the present invention.


REFERENCES:
patent: 3590004 (1971-06-01), Woodcock
patent: 3826992 (1974-07-01), Feiedl
patent: 4428646 (1984-01-01), Lighty
patent: 4515431 (1985-05-01), Shaw et al.
patent: 4603940 (1986-08-01), Shaw et al.
patent: 4712075 (1987-12-01), Snitzer
patent: 4742307 (1988-05-01), Thylen
patent: 4867518 (1989-09-01), Stamnitz et al.
patent: 4895422 (1990-01-01), Rand et al.
patent: 5005175 (1991-04-01), Desurvire et al.
patent: 5037181 (1991-08-01), Byer et al.
patent: 5045397 (1991-09-01), Jensen
patent: 5064265 (1991-11-01), Khanarian et al.
patent: 5201977 (1993-04-01), Aoshima
patent: 5274495 (1993-12-01), Shirasaki
patent: 5349600 (1994-09-01), Shinbori et al.
patent: 5396362 (1995-03-01), Yakymyshyn et al.
patent: 5441803 (1995-08-01), Meissner
patent: 5479542 (1995-12-01), Krivoshlykov
patent: 5543960 (1996-08-01), Carrig et al.
patent: 5563899 (1996-10-01), Meissner
patent: 5717517 (1998-02-01), Alfano et al.
patent: 5801858 (1998-09-01), Roberts et al.
patent: 5815309 (1998-09-01), Lawrence et al.
patent: 5846638 (1998-12-01), Meissner
patent: 5892857 (1999-04-01), McCallion
patent: 6091538 (2000-07-01), Takeda et al.
patent: 0 136 047 A2 (1985-04-01), None
patent: 0 224 070 A2 (1987-06-01), None
patent: 0 324 541 A2 (1989-07-01), None
patent: 0 415 167 A1 (1991-03-01), None
patent: 0416301 A2 (1991-03-01), None
patent: 0 450 603 A2 (1991-10-01), None
patent: 0 477 898 A2 (1992-04-01), None
patent: 0 511 069 A1 (1992-10-01), None
patent: 0 510 883 A2 (1992-10-01), None
patent: 61-228403 (1986-10-01), None
patent: 62-069207 (1987-03-01), None
patent: 02001831 (1990-01-01), None
patent: 6-34829 (1994-02-01), None
patent: 6-174955 (1994-06-01), None
patent: 08295524 (1996-11-01), None
patent: 8-316562 (1996-11-01), None
Kevin R. Stewart, “Organic Crystals Give Optoelectronics a Boost”,Photonics Spectra, Jul. 1994, pp. 104-108.
David Bradley, “Plastics That Play on Light”,Science, vol. 261, Sep. 3, 1993, pp. 1272 and 1273.
K. Thyagarajan, et al., “Proton-exchanged periodically segmented waveguides in LiNbo3”,Optics Letters, vol. 19, No. 12, Jun. 5, 1994, pp. 880-882.
M.L. Bortz, et al. “Increased acceptance bandwidth for quasi-phasematched second harmonic generation in LiNbo3 waveguides”, IEEE, Oct. 28, 1993, 2 pages.
Sten Helmfrid, et al., “Optical Parametric Amplification of a 1.54-m Single-Mode DFB Laser in a Ti:LiNb03 Waveguide”,Journal of Lightwave Technology, vol. 11, No. 9, 09/1993, pp. 1459-1469.
Richard A. Baumgartner, et al. “Optical Parametric Amplifcation”,IEEE Journal of Quantum Electronics, vol. QE-15, No. 6, 06/1979, pp. 432-444.
N. A. Sanford, et al., “Nd:LiTaO3 waveguide laser”,Optics Letters, vol. 17, No. 22, Nov. 15, 1992, pp. 1578-1580.
P. Rogin, et al., “Epitaxial Nd:YLF linear waveguide laser”,Optics Letters, vol. 22, No. 22, Nov. 15, 1997, pp. 1701-1703.
Seth R. Marder, et al., “Nonlinear Optical Polymers: Discovery to Market in 10 Years?”,Science, vol. 263, Mar. 25, 1994, pp. 1706 and 1707.
K. McCallion, et al., “Investigation of Optical Fibre Switch Using Electro-Optic Interlays”, 12/1991, 2 pages.
C.A. Miller, et al., “Exposed-core single-mode fiber channel-dropping filter using a high-index overlay waveguide”,Optics Letters, vol. 12, No. 4, 4/1987, pp. 284-286.
G. Fawcett, et al., “In-Line Fibre-Optic Intensity Modulator Using Electro-Optic Polymer”,Electronics Letters, vol. 28, No. 11, May 21, 1992, 2 pages.
S. Creaney, et al., “Continuous-Fiber Modulator with High-Bandwidth Coplanar Strip Electrodesw”,IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 8, No. 3, 3/1996, 3 pages.
Krassimir P. Panajotov, “Evanescent field coupling between a single-mode fiber and a planar waveguide with absorption or gain”,J. Opt. Soc. Am., vol. 13, No. 11, 09/1996, pp. 2468-2476.
S. J. Field, et al., “Ion-implanted Nd:GGG channel waveguide laser”,Optics Letters, vol. 17, No. 1, Jan. 1, 1992, pp. 52-54.
V.A. Kozlov, et al., “in-line singlemode fibre amplifiers based on LiF:F2 and LiF:F2-crystals”,Electronics Letters, vol. 31, No. 24, Nov. 23, 1995, pp. 2104 and 2105.
Cheng Chung Li, et al., “Er-Doped Glass Ridge-Waveguide Amplifilers Fabricated with a Collimated Sputter Deposition Technique”,IEEE Photonics Technology Letters, vol. 9, No. 9, Sep. 1997, pp. 1223

Affiliated with

Also associated with

Rating

Multiple window dense wavelength divison multiplexed... does not yet have a rating. At this time, there are no reviews or comments for this patent.

If you have personal experience with Multiple window dense wavelength divison multiplexed..., we encourage you to share that experience with our LandOfFree.com community. Your opinion is very important and Multiple window dense wavelength divison multiplexed... will most certainly appreciate the feedback.

Rate now

Comments { 0 }

Profile ID: LFUS-PAI-O-2495904